Summary: One of the original X-Men to make the list is my boy Henry “Hank” McCoy. Every team needs a genius Doctor to fall back on for scientific know-how and patching up the wounded. Beast is a true amalgam of brains and brawn. A prominent biochemist, and having earned Ph.D.’s in Biophysics and Genetics, Beast is noted for curing the Mutant Legacy Virus.

His vast electrical and mechanical knowledge has permitted Beast to create several deus ex machina mechanisms to save the day many times over. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Hank’s massive intellect makes him any less formidable in battle. Threaten his teammates and you will quickly learn why Hank’s mutant moniker is the Beast.

Your list looks like you just created the original team from the 1992 cartoon. Had you had a few more spots you would only need to add Gambit, Jean Gray, Jubilee and Professor X (oh… and don’t forget Morph). So even though there are several more mutants more powerful than some of the ones on your list, this group does seems to be the best 5 if you’re putting a team together. Would your top five have changed had you not been building a team?

Posted by: Ace on 1/8/2014 12:55:27 PM

5) Storm - More powerful than Cyclops, but far less strong as a leader, nonetheless she has proven herself and gets things done.

4) Colossus - Self sacrifice, determination, grit, and power. Colossus puts the mission before himself and has the power set to make his presence felt.

3) Magneto - While typically the opposite of an X-man, he has always fought for the same goals and embodies the same charisma and stop at nothing determination to protect mutantkind that makes Cyclops/Professor X such effective leaders. Now brings his unique perspective and incredible powerset to bear on their side.

2) Havok - Esentially the same justification as Cyclops, slightly more angst and less results, but close.

1) Cyclops - A professional soldier who manages to lead a bunch of whiny, disobedient super powered children. When wolverine wants to run off to canada, rogue and beast want to get rid of their powers, Jean Grey is having an emotional breakdown, etc. Cyclops manages to make it all work and get the job done, time and again.

Posted by: Joe on 12/12/2013 11:56:28 AM

I agree with Grim.IGN posted a list of the top 25 X-Men. I think this list is better, but they got # 1 right.

Here's my list...5. Kitty Pryde4. Wolverine3. Beast2. Storm1. Cyclops

I think the top 4 are pretty clear cut, but alot of X-Men could make a case for # 5, including Rouge, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Iceman.

Posted by: Licensedhero on 8/23/2013 6:03:55 AM

for that matter what about Professor X himself or even Magneto

Posted by: Grim on 8/22/2013 7:40:12 PM

2 words... Jean Grey

Posted by: white phoenix of the crown on 8/22/2013 8:50:32 AM

@ Grim

After reading your comment, I have a feeling you didn't read the authors reasons. He stated how much Wolverine has evolved as a character, which was why he was selected as #1. Really had nothing to do with popularity or anti hero qualities from the sounds of it.

R.I.F.

Posted by: BestThereis on 8/21/2013 6:21:44 AM

Seriously? Maggot doesn't make the list?!

Posted by: Deadpool2099 on 8/20/2013 10:31:57 PM

pretty much agree with this list with one exception, Wolverine should really be at #5 and everyone else bumped up one. reason? because he has always been more of a loose cannon than team player during the time I last read x-men comics and suspect his gaining the top spot has more to do with the popularity of the anti-hero over heros